Eydis had never paid much attention to her dorm room, a functional and unremarkable space no larger than her bed back in her realm. It was nothing worth describing, and certainly nothing worth remembering.

Sharing it with Astra had changed it, charged it. The air felt heavier. Closer. Close enough to make her throat feel too tight. Suffocating.

If Eydis were honest with herself, "suffocating" wasn't quite the word. Her gaze jumped from one object to another, looking to escape the magnetic pull of Astra's gaze — the view of the car park through the window, the unused desks, the musty old rug that offended her royal, the warm, golden light that barely lit the room…

But it was just enough light to highlight Astra's face — dark, smouldering eyes like ruby embers, a high, elegant nose, and the soft curve of her… parted lips.

Eydis froze, caught herself staring. Caught staring. Again. And it became painfully clear when Astra's breath caught, the subtle movement pulling Eydis's gaze back to those eyes.

So much for distraction.

Her impulsive words to Astra rang in her mind.

"Is that an offer, Astra?"

It had been meant as a playful tease, but it sounded more like a confession, rolling off her tongue like a caress.

How could she possibly unsay it?

Astra stood unmoving, gaze fixed on Eydis, unaware of the strand of moonlight hair falling across her eyes.

Eydis's fingers itched to slip through them. And she didn't win the fight.

Blame it on her perfectionism. Blame it on the closeness, on Astra's scent, on the lingering fever, on magical interference.

She could think of a hundred excuses, a thousand justifications. Anything but…

She hadn't dared to finish the thought.

The moment she brushed the silver strands aside, a jolt shot through her, and she snatched her hand back. A fragmented memory flashed before her eyes: a hand, her hand, tangled in hair like night. The sensation was distant, dreamlike. Not Astra's. Someone else's.

Another time. Another life.

The thought landed hard. Envy and Cerberus's memories were tethered to her own, limited to what she chose to reveal. If she lost a memory, so did they.

That was why, when their bond was broken, they reverted to raw instinct and guided only by the craving of their Sins.

And given her obsession with control, it was entirely plausible. She erased what she could not contain. That had always been her way.

"Eydis."

Astra's eyes searched Eydis's face, looking for something. An answer.

When nothing came, her expression shifted.

"Is that really what you think this is? Or is it just another one of your riddles? Another… game?" Astra's voice caught on the last word.

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And suddenly, Eydis realised that she was not in control, that some unknown force was manipulating her mind. It hit her like a splash of ice water.

More than that, there was Astra, whose tense expression stirred an unexpected rush of guilt in Eydis.

She had to get away.

Taking a step back, she put space between them. The warmth between them evaporated, replaced by a cold that mirrored the frosty look in Astra's eyes.

"I was just teasing," Eydis murmured, pitching her tone towards something light.

"Teasing me?" Astra's voice came flat and cold. "Was it all a game to you?"

She turned away, walked to her bed, and focused intently on a shopping bag, fingers lingering on a gown's delicate fabric. The words that followed were barely audible.

"Of course," Astra muttered under her breath.

Eydis had to admit, that one landed squarely on her chin. She said nothing, her eyes scanning the cluttered bags, searching for a way to diffuse the tension. Then, she remembered it. Why she was here in the first place.

"Similar to how you cope through retail therapy. Tell me, Astra, are you planning a siege on my wardrobe next?"

Astra didn't look at her, but the tension in her shoulders eased. "It's not what you think."

"I wouldn't mind a siege." Eydis glanced at the closet. "Though I can't promise your clothes would be returned in the same condition."

Astra looked up sharply. "Are you saying you want to wear my clothes?" Her voice dipped. "Not that I'm inclined to share."

But you did. Is it a riddle? Or A challenge?

The temptation to tease and provoke was strong, but Eydis kept that thought to herself.

She still had a job to do, so she couldn't afford to get sidetracked again.

"Possessive, are we? Odd, considering you shop like you're dressing an army."

"I am," Astra enunciated the word just enough to suggest she didn't mean the clothes. "I couldn't decide."

Eydis felt her pulse quicken but she deflected. "Decide on what? I could help. My taste is impeccable, as you've probably noticed."

"Oh, I've noticed." Astra glanced at the bunny pajamas in Eydis's laundry basket.

"Precisely." Eydis smirked, enjoying Astra's subtle glint mischief a little too much. "Flawless taste is no match for a tight budget. Especially when living with someone who charges interest and fees."

"It's called dry cleaning and therapy fees for your midnight monologues." Astra lifted out an array of evening gowns in every colour and cut imaginable. "Help me choose, then."

"Fancy gowns? What's the occasion? A royal wedding? Or a party I wasn't invited to?"

"A black-tie event. Just for context."

Eydis scanned the lineup. Several dresses appeared to have a strained relationship with the concept of fabric. There was a daring red creation with a neckline that plunged down to depths she hadn't even known existed. Another, a gold lamé piece, barely had a back at all.

She frowned, unaware of Astra's amused smile, too distracted by the thought of Astra wearing one of these scandalous things in the presence of that smug reptile, Blackwood. The idea was unacceptable. Unthinkable.

Possibly infuriating.

"Planning to change every five minutes, or are you aiming to cause a scene on arrival?"

Astra's lips twitched. "You think I'm a scene?"

Obviously. Eydis gave a soft chuckle. "I admire the subtlety of your bait."

"I can't help it," Astra admitted sheepishly. "I just find them beautiful."

Cute.

"Then there's nothing wrong with wanting them," Eydis admitted.

"Maybe."

Eydis, missing the weight behind those words, was already absorbed in the search. A pale lavender gown with an off-the-shoulder neckline and asymmetrical hem caught her eyes. The fabric was soft, smooth as water.

She held it up against Astra. "This would look absolutely sinful on you."

And not too revealing.

"It would?" Astra searched her face for teasing.

"Maybe pair it with a purple gem. Ask your partner to match with a pocket square."

"Pocket square? I don't think she'd wear that."

"So it's a girl, then."

Astra nodded. "It's not a date."

"Naturally," Eydis reached for a pair of strappy silver heels, missing the way Astra's jaw tensed. "Now, these…"

Eydis started planning as they sorted through the pile. Astra would be attending with Athena. And if Athena was going, Theo wouldn't be far behind.

Which meant Theo would need a plus-one.

Who better than the Queen of Shadows?

She smiled to herself. Theo was predictable. Chivalrous, gullible, always eager to rescue someone who didn't need rescuing. Especially when that someone was charming and mildly tragic.

Crashing the gala wouldn't take much. A smile here, a compliment there, and Theo would be begging to escort her.

Besides, every event needed its complication. She just happened to come dressed for the role.

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